Natural Bridge State Park: Cedar Creek Trail (Blog Hike #66)

Trail: Cedar Creek Nature Trail

Hike Location: Natural Bridge State Park

Geographic Location: southwest of Lexington, VA (37.62888, -79.54333)

Length: 2 miles

Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)

Date Hiked: April 2000

Overview: A fabulous hike under Natural Bridge, then along Cedar Creek to a waterfall.

Park Information: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/natural-bridge
Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=101843
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From Lexington, take I-81 south one exit to US 11 (exit 180).  Exit and go south on US 11.  Take US 11 south 3 miles to the large blacktop parking area for Natural Bridge of Virginia Visitor Center.

The hike: Historic, famous Natural Bridge of Virginia, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, has been attracting visitors for centuries.  Young George Washington visited the bridge in the mid-1700's, carving his initials in the south side of the bridge which can still be seen today.  Later that century, Thomas Jefferson purchased the bridge as a retreat, a precursor to Camp David. 

              Today the bridge is operated as a tourist attraction along with a nearby wax museum, cavern, and hotel. The area was privately owned until 2014, when it came under state management and Natural Bridge State Park was formed.  This hike features the Cedar Creek Nature Trail, which takes visitors on a 1.25 mile hike one-way under the bridge and past two caves to a waterfall, staying along the banks of Cedar Creek all the time.  The scenery in this area makes the bridge and adjacent attractions a must stop in the Shenandoah Valley, very well worth the price of admission.

              Begin inside the visitor center, which features one of the largest souvenir shops in Virginia, a good place to browse on your way back.  Exit through a door on the east side of the store marked "To Bridge," descend some stairs to the ground floor, and exit the building at a bus stop.  While you can take the bus to the bridge, it is much more scenic to walk down the 127 concrete steps which start to the right.  Along the entire left side of the steps is a small stream that cascades down the rocks a few feet at a time.  The steps are shaded by some large white pine and hemlock trees with a few smaller hardwoods.

Cascading stream beside steps

            At the base of the steps, turn right to begin the trail, which is currently paved with concrete.  With babbling Cedar Creek to the left, the trail curves around the hillside on the right with the bridge soon coming into view.  At 215 feet high and 85 feet wide, the limestone bridge defies words.  Standing underneath this bridge is one of the greatest experiences in my hiking career.  Looking straight up, the bridge appears as a dark gray streak in the white cloudy sky.  An occasional cool drop of water falling from the porous stone wets my right shoulder as a gentle rush of water sounds from the creek.  The rows of green benches on either side of the bridge are seats for the drama “Creation,” a light show put on nightly under the bridge at sunset.  This show lets you see the bridge in a different "light" and is definitely worth staying for after you have completed this hike if sunset is anytime in the near future.

Natural Bridge of Virginia

            Past the bridge, the trail turns to cinder and begins heading up a gorge created by Cedar Creek, which is now on the right.  In about 300 feet the trail comes to a recreated Indian village tucked between the trail and the creek.  Staffed during the day by costumed interpreters, the village gives insight into the daily life of the Monacan Indians, the tribe that originally settled the area. 

            Past the village, the trail crosses the creek on a concrete bridge and comes to a short side trail leading to Saltpeter Cave.  Not a commercial cavern, the small cave was mined during the Civil War for its saltpeter, a key ingredient in gunpowder.  The cave is not lighted, and I do not recommend entering unless you are properly equipped with spelunking equipment.

           Continuing on, the trail climbs slightly to a well-placed trail shelter, then descends slightly to our next point of interest, Lost River.  This underground stream is an unusual natural site.  The rushing water can be heard more easily than it can be seen.  The creek rises above ground level for only a couple feet before disappearing beneath the surface again.  One would suspect that the stream would flow into Cedar Creek no more than 50 feet away.  Yet, no outlet has ever been found, and neither has the stream's source.

Lost River

           Further upstream, the gorge narrows as you approach Lace Waterfall at the head of the gorge.  Notice the unusual layers of rock that rise at a 45 degree angle in the bedrock of the streambed to your left.  This is a result of the ancient uplift that formed the Appalachian Mountains many years ago. 

Layers of rock in stream bed

          Lace Waterfall soon comes into view in the distance.  The water drops in two sections, each about 30 feet high.  With a strong, clear water source in Cedar Creek, the waterfall is pretty all year long. 

Lace Waterfall

          The trail ends at an observation platform with benches about 150 feet before reaching the waterfall.  Turn around and retrace your steps back under the Natural Bridge to the trailhead, completing one of the greatest nature hikes in Virginia.